ABOUT THE ARIZONA MEMORY PROJECTRead about the Arizona Memory Project, learn how to submit your digital collection to the project, and download policy documents.

Contribute to the Arizona Memory Project

For Arizona Cultural InstitutionsArizona Memory Project is open to any Arizona cultural institution that is interested in making their digital holdings available online. There are many benefits to becoming a Partner, including access to tools and training that facilitate the digitization process. The Arizona Memory Project does not have rights to partner material and assumes no liability for rights infringement.

For the PublicIf you are a member of the public, share your Arizona-related images on Flickr by tagging each item with the phrase "Arizona Memory Project."

Visit Arizona Digital Newspaper Program

The years 1859-1922 represent a time when Arizona grew up. A broad documentation of this valuable history can be found in the newspapers of the day. In accordance with their mission to ensure that Arizona's history is documented and preserved, and in joint effort with the National Endowment for the Humanities and Library of Congress, The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records is proud to contribute to the National Digital Newspaper Program by digitizing select Arizona newspaper titles from this vital time in history in preparation for global online access. Visit http://adnp.azlibrary.gov/

Jane Karl was born in Kansas City Missouri on October 10, 1920, and grew up in Washington DC. In 1940, she moved to New York City to study commercial art at Columbia University. She married Walter Karl, and in 1956, the couple and their three year old son relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. They established an architectural firm "Karl Visuals," and provided architectural renderings for noted Phoenix architects John Long, Del Webb, and others. After her husband's death in 1960, Jane continued the business until her retirement. She was an accomplished painter, sculptor, ceramicist, and fiber artist, and was involved in the arts in Phoenix. She passed away on February 14, 2012. The collection was donated to the Arizona State Archives in 2014 by her son. Descriptive information on the collection was generously contributed by her son, Phil Karl, and Alison King of modernphoenix.net.

The Merci Train Collection contains a sampling of items from the 1949 Merci (Gratitude) Train. "Merci" means thank you in French. Each boxcar was filled with gifts from the people of France showing their gratitude to the American people for sending food and other supplies on the Friendship Train and for liberating France from the invading German army during World War II. The Merci Train Collection contains various objects, such as paper stars, photographs, clothing, tablecloths, pillows, toys, paintings, books, trench art, glassware, and lovely dolls showing the traditional dress of several French provinces. A Peugeot bicycle and a wedding dress grace the Merci Train Exhibit in the Arizona Capitol Museum. The following items also can be seen in the exhibit: a crystal ashtray, paintings, a commemorative medal, a glass hand mirror, handmade stars, tourist publications, books, souvenir postcards, hand-painted postcards, a religious medal, a Napoleon Medal, and children's clothing and toys.

The site of Thunderbird School of Global Management has its origins as a primary flight training school during World War II. In the late 1930's, with war looming on the horizon, General "Hap" Arnold, who authorized civilian training bases for World War II, recognized a need to train more pilots for combat. However, Congress disagreed, and only allowed the expansion of one training base, Randolph Field. Arnold circumvented Congress and sent out a call for civilian flight operators to gamble their dollars building training fields to teach Air Corps cadets how to fly. Out of this need, Thunderbird Field was established.

Marshall Trimble is considered the "dean of Arizona historians" and has taught Arizona history at Scottsdale Community College for 40 years. His first book was published in 1977 by Doubleday & Company, New York. Since then he's written more than twenty books on Arizona and the West. Trimble is one of the state's most popular speakers and performers. He's also an educator, lecturer, folk singer and stage performer.

This collection documents the creation of the town of Carefree, the business lives of its founders (K.T. Palmer and Tom Darlington), its battle for incorporation, and the everyday activities of its residents from inception to the present day.

Spotlight On

El Conquistador by Ron DirlamThis statue titled "Conquistador" stands just outside of the Spanish Village shopping center in Carefree, AZ. Sculpted by Ron Dirlam out of bronze, the statue stands over five feet high and continues to be a prominent figure in the area. Dressed as a typical sixteenth century conquistador (explorer) in a metal hat with his flag and sword filling both hands, "Conquistador" affords a glimpse into Carefree's past of Spanish expeditions north from Mexico. ~ Town of Carefree, Arizona

Southwest Airways logo patchCloth patch of the red and black Thunderbird logo used by Southwest Airways. ~ Southwest Airways and Thunderbird Field #1

Cloth Doll from the Merci Friendship TrainCloth doll with painted face, black velvet eyes, and hair made of yellow thread. Shoes are black velvet with pink ribbon shoelaces. Dress is made of gold silk with blue velvet apron. ~ From Friendship to Gratitude - The Merci Train Collection

Dr. and Mrs. Albert Einstein in front of the Old Faithful Dr. and Mrs. Albert Einstein visit to the Petrified Forest National Park in 1931. The famous physicist and his wife Elsa are among a long list of notable people who visited the Petrified Forest National Park. In this photograph Doctor and Mrs. Albert Einstein are in front of the "Old Faithful", a large log found in the southern section of the park called Rainbow Forest. ~ Petrified Forest Historic Photographs

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